Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev19980405.htm

ACTS: THE LOCAL CHURCH AS GOD'S AGENCY FOR DISCIPLING MEN
Part XXXV: Practical Separation From Fellow Brethren
(Acts 15:36-41)
  1. Introduction
    1. We know from Ephesians 5:11 and 2 John 9-10 that Christians must not have fellowship with those who are apostates, who deny the person and work of Jesus Christ. We know that we should separate from fellow believers who deny th e true doctrines of the Word as well, 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15.
    2. However, sometimes there are matters that arise completely aside from doctrine that dictate that we have no choice but to go separate ways from fellow Christians simply because there are no other practical alternatives. Such separation is not wrong, and we have it exemplified for us in Acts 15:36-41 as follows:
  2. Practical Separation From Fellow Brethren, Acts 15:36-41:
    1. A difference of opinion between Paul and Barnabas arose over a very practical matter in Acts 15:36-38:
      1. The Apostle Paul decided that he would like to return to the various new church establishments of the first missionary journey for their edification, Acts 15:36.
      2. Barnabas accepted the idea, and planned to take John Mark with him and Paul, Acts 15:37.
      3. However, this desire of Barnabas set up a delicate confrontation as follows:
        1. John Mark had abandoned Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey, 15:38b,c with 13:13.
        2. Since he had thus abandoned them under trials, Paul felt it would be inappropriate to expose John Mark to a second defeat, and thereby discourage the new converts in the newly established churches, so he strongly felt John Mark should be left behind, Acts 15:38a.
        3. On the other hand, Barnabas, being the "son of consolation" as his name means (cf. Acts 4:36) felt that leaving John Mark behind would signal to him that he was a failure, so discouraging him that John Mark would live a defeated Christ ian life from then on. He felt sure John Mark should come.
    2. The confrontation became so strong, and the convictions so deep, that Paul and Barnabas did the only practical thing possible: they each parted ways, Paul taking Silas to visit the churches, and Barnabas taking John Mark with him into Cyprus to perhaps visit converts there and to get him discipled, Acts 15:39-40a.
    3. The practical necessity for this separation was noted by the Church at Antioch:
      1. The Church commended both Paul's team and Barnabas' team to the unmerited favor of God, 15:40b.
      2. This implies that the Church saw the point of both sides, the need for a missionary team that would leave a good example to the Asian Churches, and yet the need not to destroy John Mark.
      3. It implies that the Church knew that God's unmerited favor had to be involved to cover for the human weakness that had caused such a deep difference of conscience and of opinion.
Lesson: Because of the human limitations not only of John Mark, but of the new believers in the Churches of Asia, it was good for John Mark not to be viewed as a fully mature, seasoned missionary that would mislead others when he failed. Because o f the human need involved, it was necessary that John Mark not be abandoned as a "wash-out" lest he get defeated and quit growing. Accordingly, division for the sake of love for weak brethren was the only and appropriate choice.

Application: (1) Though ungodly divisions are caused by selfishness, divisions for Christ's sake are valuable in (a) conserving correct theology OR (b) in conserving the consciences and discipleship of new or weak believers. (2) It is nece ssary to realize the necessity for divine unmerited favor in such difficult matters where practical division is a necessity for the sake of weaker brethren. In such cases, we must part not with malice, but with deep mutual respect, love and a commitment of prayer for one another. We must also part, recognizing that we must lean on God's grace as we might have weaknesses OURSELVES that necessitate the separation, weaknesses that God covers in His grace due to the limitations of us as human beings.